Whenever Sikhi is talked about with a non-Sikh, us Sikhs are quick to point out that we believe in equality and our religion is a very peaceful and loving one. We quickly say that we believe all religions are equal and lead to the same destination. Well, this last point is completely false. Having read Gurbani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee and Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Jee, Sikhs should realize that Guru Sahib DOES NOT say all religions are equal and lead to the same destination. What Guru Sahib does say is to love all despite our differences. Guru Sahib tells us to treat all with the same amount of respect and dignity regardless of their religion. However, Guru Sahib does not say all religions are equal and lead to the same destination. If all religions are the same then why did Guru Nanak come on to the earth and create a new one? What was the need to start a new Path if the paths before already sufficed? The fact is that all religions do not end up at the same destination. We are all not different paths to the same place, all religions lead to different places, and Sikhi leads to Sach Khand, the only path that leads to Sach Khand. How can Christianity lead to Sach Khand when Jesus and the Bible do not even mention a concept of Sach Khand. Hindus and Muslims are busy going to heaven and paradise, but what does Gurmat teach us about these places?
ਪੰਡਿਤ ਵਾਚਹਿ ਪੋਥੀਆ ਨਾ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਅਨ ਕਉ ਮਤੀ ਦੇ ਚਲਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ॥
ਕਥਨੀ ਝੂਠੀ ਜਗੁ ਭਵੈ ਰਹਣੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥੬॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਜੋਤਕੀ ਬੇਦਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਵਾਦਿ ਵਿਰੋਧਿ ਸਲਾਹਣੇ ਵਾਦੇ ਆਵਣੁ ਜਾਣੁ ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਕਰਮ ਨ ਛੁਟਸੀ ਕਹਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੁ ॥੭॥
The Pandits read their books, but they do not understand the True Veechar (Gurmat Naam).
They instruct others and leave, only chasing after money. They speak false and wander the world, only those that Jap Naam are beautiful and excellent. There are many Pandits astrologers that read the Veds. They continuously argue and debate and doing this die and are born again. Without the Guru they are not freed from their Karams, but they preach to others.
There are countless lines from Gurbani that tell us about these other religions. Guru Sahib is clear that these other paths are entangled in empty rituals and are devoid of Naam. Those that do have Naam, do not have Sat Naam (True Naam) and because of this they cannot get to Sach Khand. They will only get to where their deity is. The followers of Shiv can only get to where Shiv is, not to Sach Khand. The Followers of Christ can only get to where Christ resides. None of these of prophets reside in Sach Khand, so getting to Sach Khand is impossible for their followers.
Talking about Gian Khand Guru Sahib in Jap Jee Sahib writes:
ਕੇਤੇ ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਵੈਸੰਤਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕਾਨ ਮਹੇਸ ॥ ਕੇਤੇ ਬਰਮੇ ਘਾੜਤਿ ਘੜੀਅਹਿ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਕੇ ਵੇਸ ॥
ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕਰਮ ਭੂਮੀ ਮੇਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਧੂ ਉਪਦੇਸ ॥ਕੇਤੇ ਇੰਦ ਚੰਦ ਸੂਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਮੰਡਲ ਦੇਸ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਸਿਧ ਬੁਧ ਨਾਥ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਦੇਵੀ ਵੇਸ ॥ਕੇਤੇ ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵ ਮੁਨਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਰਤਨ ਸਮੁੰਦ ॥
ਕੇਤੀਆ ਖਾਣੀ ਕੇਤੀਆ ਬਾਣੀ ਕੇਤੇ ਪਾਤ ਨਰਿੰਦ ॥
There are many Krishans and Shivs in Gian Khand. There are many Brahmas, many Bhagats like Dhru. Many Indars and many Sidhs and Buddhas. There are many masters of Yoga and many goddesses in Gian Khand. There are many gods and demons and sages in Gian Khand.
From this it is clear that none of the Hindu Avtars ever got anywhere close to Sach Khand. Where will their followers go?
It is important however, to realize that as Sikhs although we practice the Truth and have been given the True Path by Guru Nanak Dev Jee Maharaj, we cannot have any hatred towards followers of other religions. The Gurus have taught us to respect and care for all people regardless of race, gender or religion.
ਪਉੜੀ ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਗ ਤਿਨਾ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਹਰਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਕਹਤਿਆ ॥
ਧਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਗ ਤਿਨਾ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਸ੍ਰਵਣੀ ਸੁਣਤਿਆ ॥
ਧਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਗ ਤਿਨਾ ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਇ ਗੁਣੀ ਜਨ ਬਣਤਿਆ ॥
ਧਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਗ ਤਿਨਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਾ ਜੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਜਿਣਤਿਆ ॥
ਸਭ ਦੂ ਵਡੇ ਭਾਗ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾ ਕੇ ਜੋ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣੀ ਸਿਖ ਪੜਤਿਆ ॥੧੮॥